City Springs in a new performing arts complex in Sandy Springs that’s gearing up for its inaugural season. The jewel of Sandy Springs, City Springs includes the much-anticipated Performance Arts Center. David Daly, director of programming at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center tells Georgia Voice, “As a newly formed city, we lacked a ‘there there,’ a place where the community could gather and be entertained, and the block, now known as City Springs, provided a canvas to create that center point.”
David adds: “In shaping the design and uses, city leaders sought community opinion. There were dozens of public meetings, stakeholder sessions, and surveys. Residents could email their thoughts to the Mayor and City Council members. It was a collaborative process.”
According to the website, the development is described as a “world-class cultural asset.” Broadway-like productions can be seen a little over 20 miles outside the city. The overall goal of the state-of-the-art facility is to offer live theater, music, and art to the community.
The city has turned a 14-acre area into a civic and cultural center that is home to City Hall, the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, the Conference Center at City Springs, retail and residential partners, and a green city. The City Springs development also includes the City Springs, a non-profit professional theater company and an affiliate of the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, according to Brandt Blocker, executive/artistic director of City Springs Theatre Company.
“City Springs Theatre Company was born out of the Sandy Spring’s community’s desire to have a subscription series of professional musical theater in the new Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center,” Brandt says. “Sandy Springs residents, Jan Collins, Steven Hauser, and Peggy and Jerry Stapleton founded the organization in 2017.”
The City Spring’s website states that the theater company, “is dedicated to entertaining, educating, and enriching our community while contributing to its cultural and economic development by creating world-class theatre experiences at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.” A primary goal of City Springs Theatre Company is to share the magic of theater and all facets of the arts with as many audiences possible.
The primary performances are showcased in the facility’s Byers Theatre where Broadway shows and art education are performed. The theater features excellent sight lines, with seating for 1,070 on three levels including box seats. Superb acoustics, a full orchestra pit, and a fly loft make Byers Theatre an ideal venue for a variety of performance events. Its state-of-the-art performance technology boasts, among other things, a cinema-quality, 4K projector and screen.
It also includes green rooms, a 1,300 square-foot rehearsal room, a 6,100 square-foot, glass-enclosed main lobby that can also be used as a gallery or as a space for receptions. Also featured: a full-service CityBar, a Studio Theatre that showcases a 7×16-ft video wall, and a balcony lounge that provides a smaller, more intimate event space.
There is a lot to look forward to, Brandt says. “City Springs is an ideal location to spend a full day to experience dining, shopping, recreation, and professional entertainment. City Springs Theatre Company is committed to providing an exceptional theatrical experience and we look forward to our inaugural season’s opening production of ‘42nd Street’ starring Tony-Award-winner Shuler Hensley September 14-23.”
The City Springs Performance Art Center also includes another highlight — The Studio Theatre. The Studio Theatre is a 5,000 square-foot space that can be used for community meeting spaces, small performances, or holding corporate meetings or banquet-style events. The Studio Theatre can seat 350 people and like the Byers, it too features excellent acoustics, a full lighting grid, a sprung floor, and other technologies.
Although, the venue is slightly OTP, Sandy Spring residents have set a high bar. “Customer Service is a top priority for city leadership, from paving along our roadways to drink service in the CityBar,” David tells us. “It is part of the City’s DNA, something we practice every day. The performing arts center is a first-class facility, and our goal is to feature a varied mix of performances which meets the demand of the audiences [and delivers] first-in-class service for our patrons. You come to the performing arts center to be entertained and have a good time, and we want to make sure you leave with a positive feeling.”
Apart from being an entertainment destination, there’s a strong focus to include an educational aspect. City Springs will create and produce arts education and community-enrichment programs, the website states. Their diverse program offerings will serve students and educators from those in pre-k through college-aged learners, and engage the educational community through hands-on training, a student-matinee series, and programming in the summer months, highlighting all the art’s disciplines.
The first season of theater productions will begin this month with the musical “42nd Street.” The show will run from Sept. 14–23. In December, “Elf The Musical” shows from Dec. 7–16. Lovers of theater can look forward to “South Pacific” and “Billy Elliot,” and “Hairspray” in months hence.
Single tickets can be purchased for the various productions on the City Springs website or by calling 770-206-2022. Season tickets are also still available. For a line-up and more info on what’s new (which is all of it!), check out CitySprings.com.